Hatcher management programs

If the chicks are hatching too early, they can become susceptible to problems such as: dehydration, which can lead to increased 7- and 14-day mortality and poor broiler performance.

Chicks hatching too late can cause:

• poor quality chicks,
• increased pipped eggs, and
• live embryo unhatched eggs.

Photo 1. Just right

Photo 2. Early hatch

It is important to note that you cannot hatch all the chicks at the same time, and it is normal to see a hatch window of 24 to 30 hours from first to last chick. Hatch time among eggs varies but is largely dependent on the rate of embryo development where:

• higher incubation temperatures increase metabolism and promote increased embryonic development and
• lower temperatures reduce metabolism and delay embryonic development.

For optimal hatch and chick quality, it is critical to maintain a uniform temperature and humidity across the hatcher.

Table 1. Hatch window assessment

Graph 1. Ideal percent hatched and ideal hatch spread

EGGSHELL CLEANLINESS

In addition to chick temperature, the eggshells in the hatcher basket can be used to indicate if adjustments are needed to the time and temperature of chicks in the hatcher.

When chicks have been in the hatcher too long, the eggshells can become soiled with green meconium (the first chick droppings)

Clean eggshells can indicate proper hold time in the hatcher but check chicks to ensure they are dry. Completely clean